The Sound of the Abbey

Abdij van Park, an oasis of calm just outside Leuven, carries nine hundred years of history. For centuries its libraries, choir, cloister, refectory and abbot’s quarters have stored up song, silence and stories. The Sound of the Abbey is the result of three years of musical residencies in the abbey: thirteen artists and ensembles created as many pieces, recorded within its walls.

Tradition renewed, renewal in tradition

The abbey inspired a wide range of musicians. Rénélius Ensemble, a Roma ensemble from Leuven, finds the rhythm of monastic life in the abbey refectory. Naragonia Trio reworks a 17th-century toccata by Kapsberger in the abbey library. 3’Ain lets the cloister’s echo resonate. Andries Boone, Sandra Van der Gucht and Anouk Sanczuk weave together mandolin, harpsichord and octave fiddle in the high choir of the abbey church.

Recorded on the spot

The musicians reflected, played and attuned their music to the space. The pieces were recorded spontaneously, right there on site. Merodefestival selected the musicians and organised the project together with Abdij van Park. Bert Huysentruyt recorded and mixed the tracks and made a video for each song. Pieter De Wagter of Equus Mastering handled the mastering, Maarten De Nayer of Skrew Studio the design.

In the press

Review on damusic.be · Review on RootsWorld

The Sound of the Abbey is a collaboration with Abdij van Park.